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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/7) John 14:15-31

Aug7

Read and believe in Jesus

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” John 14:16

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus has been speaking intimately with His eleven believing disciples. They are afraid and confused at what He says – He’s leaving, they can’t come, but not to worry; He’s preparing a place for them and will come again, and they will go to Him. They have questions, but Jesus’ answers don’t help them much. He also promises that they will do MORE/GREATER “works” than He has done because He’s going to the Father. AND… that they will be able to ask the Father anything in His name and He will give it to them. Just love each other sacrificially and obey His commands!

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John 14:15-17.

Then Jesus begins to lay out some amazing promises for them. But He premises these with this truth: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

Obedience is tied firmly to love. Just like when we love our parents, we will obey them and want to please them. So with God. Obedience (without griping, as our parents would say) shows our love, PROVES our love. As our parents also would say, “Actions speak louder than words.”

Jesus told the self-assured religious leaders just that in Luke 6:46-49.

“Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and NOT DO what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and DOES them, I will show you what he is like.” Then Jesus compares the wise (obedient) man and foolish (disobedient) man who build their home foundations on different soils, and the outcomes of their choices.

NOTE: When Jesus is speaking of obedience to His commands, He is not simply saying to love one another sacrificially, and you’re done. HIS commands include the entire revelation from the Father.

  1. So, what is the first supernatural blessing Jesus promises?

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be WITH you FOREVER, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. YOU know Him, for He dwells WITH you and will be IN you.”

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John 14:18-24

2. And before they can ask more questions, Jesus assures them with the second supernatural blessing.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but YOU will see me. Because I live (again), you also will live.”

Jesus is speaking of his death, and the three days in the tomb in which they will definitely “feel” like deserted orphans. After a little while, however, they WILL see Him again, when He is resurrected. The world won’t see Him (There is no record of any unbeliever seeing Jesus after His resurrection), but THEY will. And because Jesus will be raised from the dead … so will they!

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3. Then, a wonderful third supernatural blessing, union with God.

“And in that day, you will KNOW that I am in the Father…. and YOU in Me… and I in you.” “He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to  him.”

Dear Judas (the son of James, not Iscariot) manages to get a question in.

“Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Patiently Jesus answers. “If anyone loves me (that’s you guys), he will keep my word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

“But whoever does NOT love me or keep my words (that’s the world, Judas), they won’t have My Father and Me coming to dwell in them.

Hopefully Jesus’ answer cleared up Judas’ question.

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John 14:25-31

4. Jesus promises the blessing of a supernatural teacher.

14:15: “I will give you another Helper to be with you forever.”

And now, 14:26: “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will TEACH YOU all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

What a comforting promise! A holy, indwelling helper to teach them (and us) and help them remember all the things that Jesus said, demonstrated, taught, and promised! WOW!

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5. And now the blessing of supernatural peace.

“Peace I leave with you; MY peace, I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Wow. Later, the apostle Paul describes the peace that Jesus promised as: “the peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace that will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

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Jesus continues to encourage His disciples and to allay their fears and confusion. He says they should rejoice that He is going away, because He will come again.

“And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does, you may believe.“

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.”

“Rise. Let us go from this place.“

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NOTE: John doesn’t describe “The Last Supper” as the other Gospel writers do. He centers instead on the final teaching and encouragement Jesus gives to His disciples.

And although chapter 14 ended with Jesus telling them they were leaving the upper room, John will insert three more chapters of teaching, prophecy, and the final “High Priestly Prayer” by Jesus. We’ll look at them in the next 7 days of reading.

And then, with chapter 18, we’ll catch up with Jesus and the disciples as they go out across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/6) John 14:1-14

Aug6

Read and believe in Jesus

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” John 14:1

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus and His disciples are closed off from the world in the upper room for the Passover meal. Judas is gone, and now Jesus turns to His “little children” to begin a very intimate time of personal teaching. He gives them a new, specific commandment for believers in Christ: ‘Love one another AS I have loved you.’ Jesus loved them to the end (death), and that’s what He is asking them to do for each other. This sacrificial love is what will “wow” the world and show them that Jesus IS real.

Peter is dismayed when Jesus tells them He’s going away and they can’t come with Him. Peter vows to die with Jesus, but Jesus is speaking not only of His physical death, but His death on the cross, as their substitute, the sinless “sinner,” lifted up on a cross, upon whom the wrath of God for sin will be poured out…once for all time. (Hebrews 9:26-29, 1 Peter 3:18 – yes, Peter finally gets it!)

And… Jesus gives Peter a “wake-up call” that keeps him silent for the rest of the evening – “YOU will deny me 3X tonight!!”

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John 14:1-7.

Jesus turns to the eleven and says gently,

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you? I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that … where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I’m going.”

Thomas, the loving but melancholy disciple (who had vowed to go into danger in Judea even if it meant he would die), says anxiously, “Lord! We do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? ”

Jesus reminded Thomas that it was not a “road” but a “person” that would lead them to that heavenly mansion and His Father. “I am the WAY, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Did Thomas nod thoughtfully at this?

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John 14:8-11.

Jesus continues, looking around at his men. “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you DO know Him and have SEEN Him.”

It’s Philip’s turn now, and he asks, perhaps scratching his head, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”


Did Jesus sigh and look toward the ceiling? “Have I been with you so long, and you STILL do not know me, Philip?” Jesus asks His confused disciple.

“Whoever has seen ME has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does His works.”

Then perhaps Jesus turns to the rest of the men and says, “Believe ME that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe on account of the works themselves.”

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John 14:12-14

Jesus now challenges them. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works (miracles) that I do, and greater works than these will he do.” (How?) “Because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

“If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it.”

Wow!!

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(Were the disciples as glassy-eyed as I am now, with more to come? This was a lot to take in for the Eleven. I mean, A LOT! )

Thomas and Philip have been speaking up for us, asking those hard questions, but Peter sits with his chin cupped in his hand, staring at his plate, with a very anxious and scared look on his face. He mumbles, ‘Betray Him three times?’

John‘s mind is busy, his eyes and ears wide open, wishing he had a scroll and quill, and thinking how he will remember all this to write down later for his gospel. (He will soon hear Jesus tell of the Holy Spirit’s super help!)

Nathaniel is scouring his brain for Old Testament prophecies that agree with what Jesus is saying, and nodding when some come to his memory. “Yes… and yes…” he murmurs.

James, the other ‘son of thunder,’ is perhaps thinking of that stunning event on Mt. Tabor when Jesus was transfigured before their eyes, and the voice of the Father thundered. Yes… he could see how Jesus and the Father are one together; in glorious light and majesty! “I can’t wait to share in that heavenly glory!” he thought.

Matthew gasps quietly as Jesus talks, seeing how all the things He’s saying relate to His parables of “the kingdom,” and how, when Jesus’ followers will pray and ask Him, and instantly get help… the kingdom of Heaven will surely come quickly!

Simon’s zealot heart pounds in his chest. We will do greater works than the Master?! We can ask whatever we will for “the cause of Christ” and for “His glory,” and the Master will hear and answer? “Glory Hallelujah!” Nothing can stop us!

Andrew‘s thoughts go back to the grassy hillside when the hunger of thousands of people touched Jesus’ compassionate heart. He remembers the little boy with a cloth sack over his shoulder pulling at his sleeve and offering the meager lunch to the Master. Andrew remembers bringing the lad to Jesus, and… that miracle that followed. YES! Andrew believes Jesus is the Messiah both because of His words and also because of His works… His miracles. ‘And WE are to do greater ones?’ OH!

Alphaeus’ son, James, keeps his thoughts to himself, but watches his ‘possible brother’ (compare Mark 2:14 with Acts 1:13), Levi’s (Matthew’s) ink-stained fingers as he lifts his hands in silent praise.

The “other Judas,” the son of James, is also listening silently, but he will speak a question later in the chapter. (14:22).

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/5) John 13:31-38

Aug5

Read and Believe in Jesus

“When he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.'” John 13:31

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus had just revealed that one of His small group would betray Him. None suspected Judas. In fact, Peter asks John to ask Jesus who it was. Jesus indicated Judas when He handed him the dipped piece of bread, but it was as if a veil was over their eyes. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have mobbed Judas and stopped him? Judas took the offered bread, and at Jesus’ “What you are going to do, do quickly,” he slipped out into the night, the devil filling his heart with darkness.

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John 13:31-33.

A moment or two after the door closed, Jesus looked up at his beloved men and said, “NOW is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.”

Yes, Jesus could have dwelt on the things that were going to happen to him soon as a result of Judas’ mission. But He turned to look PAST that, to the way that both He and His Father would be glorified at His finished work on the cross (that They had planned before the world was created), after it was accomplished.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who, for the JOY that was set before Him, ENDURED the cross, DESPISING the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Then Jesus looks around at the Twelve, His men, and calls them, “little children.” Tenderly He tells them that he is going “somewhere” they cannot come.

He means His death on the cross.

Yes, almost all of them will one day face martyrdom, some on a Roman cross, but THIS death, Jesus’s death, is for the redemption of all those who will ever believe in Him. THIS death is the “wages” earned by sinful man that God pronounced in Genesis 3. It will be substitutionary, for a sinless Jesus will die in the place of every sinner who repents and believes in Him.

NO, His disciples cannot go with Jesus.

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John 13:34-35

Then Jesus gives them a NEW commandment, that He (and they) will repeat in their teaching and writings. It is:

“Love one another:

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another.” (repeated three times!)

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What makes this a “NEW” commandment? Isn’t it already part of the two greatest commands: LOVE God and LOVE your neighbor as yourself?

Yes and no. It has the tone of the second commandment, for sure. But notice that Jesus replaces “as yourself” with “as I have loved you.”

Yes, we are to love others (our neighbors) as we love ourselves, treating others well, caring for them, sparing nothing on their welfare… but Jesus’s “as I have loved you” speaks of DYING for others. Not just giving our time, money, experience, kindness … but sacrificing our LIVES, our physical lives for others. Wow.

Yes, this will definitely reveal that those who love in this way ARE the true disciples of Jesus.

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John 13:36-38.

Then Peter – (don’t you just love him) – jumps up and asks, “Lord, WHERE are you going?”

And Jesus answers him as before, “Somewhere you can’t follow me … though you WILL follow some day.”

“Lord, why can I not follow you NOW?” And then, thinking of that new love, he says, “I will lay down my life for you!”

Jesus answers, “WILL you lay down your life for me, Peter? Truly, truly, I tell you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

Whoa.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/3) John 13:1-17

Aug3

Read and believe in Jesus

“When Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13;1b

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus again urged the people to believe in Him, but they did not, would not, though He gave them many signs. Jesus then quoted a scary section from Isaiah, how the choice would be taken away, and they would not be ABLE to believe. God would blind their eyes and harden their hearts lest they see and understand and turn to Him so He could heal them. Though Jesus pleads with the words that His Father gave him, only a few believed, and those kept silent from fear.

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John 13:1-5.

So… Jesus turns from public to private ministry. He retreats from the world and gathers His disciples to Himself. There is much He wants to teach them before “departing out of this world to go to the Father,” and the time is getting short. He has loved them, and He will love them to the end. But even here, in that intimate circle of chosen men, one is an unbeliever.

John tells us that even then, during the Passover meal, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus, although at the time, only Jesus knew it.

And… knowing it, Jesus humbled Himself to become the lowest of servants, removed His outer clothes, took a towel and a bowl of water, and went to each of the twelve (yes, TWELVE) disciples, and washed and dried their feet. Silence reigned, until….

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John 13:6-11.

….Jesus came to Peter, who withdrew his feet. “Lord! Do You wash MY feet?”

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand,” Jesus said gently.

Peter leaned back, raised his hands, palms out, and shook his head. “Not me! Huh-uh. You shall never wash my feet, Jesus!”

(Not love for Jesus, or humility, but pure pride was speaking. Peter, the big fisherman, would not submit to his Lord and Master washing his big ole smelly feet. Nope. Too, too humbling.)

From below him, kneeling on the rough boards, Jesus looked lovingly at Peter. “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

Peter drew in a sharp breath, fear in his eyes. “Lord! Not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus smiled up at Peter and lifted a big old foot into the basin. “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And YOU are clean. But…not everyone of you is.”

(For Jesus knew who was to betray him; that was why He said, Not ALL of you are clean.)

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But how were Peter and the others (except Judas) “already bathed and clean?”

John 15:3-4: “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”

John 6:68: During the three years Jesus had with the disciples, He gave them “the words of life,” and they believed. He taught them even about his death and resurrection, although they didn’t completely understand then. But they would.

Ephesians 5:25b-26: “…as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word…”

Titus 3:4-5: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteiousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us…”

And finally,

Romans 10:8-10, 17: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” “So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.“

They were saved, regenerated by their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, that they had heard Him preach. But, as with us, they/we daily commit sins and do things that make “our walk, or feet” dirty. Then, we go to the Lord, confess our sin, and He is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us (wash our feet; we don’t need saving again) from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

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John 13:12-17. After washing Peter’s feet, Jesus stood, put the basin and towel away, and redressed in His outer clothes. Then He taught them about what He had just done.

Yes, He was their teacher (their rabbi), and He was their Lord as well.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, YOU also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.”

Did they look around at each other then? I wonder what their thoughts were… (I’m not washing HIS feet… oh, well, I guess I will, if I am to be like Jesus.)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Jesus was soon to send them to spread His Good News throughout the world. They would be His messengers, His apostles. And they were also to remember how, as their Master, He was a servant to them that evening, and never lose that mindset themselves.

“You are blessed if you know this and DO this,” He said.

And so will WE be, my fellow servant.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/28) John 12:1-11

Jul28

Read and believe in Jesus

“The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. A joyous, praise-worthy thing, right? And yet the Jewish authorities seethed at Jesus’ growing popularity. They called a meeting of the Council to decide what to do with Him. “If He keeps growing in popularity, promoting Himself as King, the Romans will come and take away our place (Temple & priesthood) and destroy our nation. WE MUST DO SOMETHING!” And so they put out a warrant for Jesus’ arrest, planning to seize Him and kill Him. Jesus lay low. But now Passover was approaching. The BIG Question was whether He would show up in the Holy City or not.

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John 12:1-3.

Jesus had traveled back to Jerusalem with His disciples on the Friday before Passover, arriving in time for sundown and the beginning of the Sabbath. They are again staying with His friends in Bethany and eating the Sabbath meal with them. Martha is serving (but not complaining this time). Lazarus is reclining with Jesus and his men at the table.

And Mary, who in times past sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him teach, is again in this position. However, her heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for the Master. As she kneels there, she breaks open a small, very expensive alabaster jar of pure nard. (Nard is an oil extracted from a plant grown in India and imported, so perhaps you can imagine its fragrance…and its cost.)

(Actually, my fave perfume is from India as well and called Shalimar. It’s sugary sweet in fragrance.)

Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with the oil, and wipes it with her long hair, which she has let down. It is an act of pure love flowing from a tender heart.

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John 12:4-8.

A harsh, brittle accusation splits the air as Judas Iscariot gets to his feet. “Why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?”

He perhaps points to Mary at Jesus’ feet, her hair tangled and oily, and looks away in disgust. 300 denarii was, after all, the equivalent of a year’s wages for a common laborer.

(John again adds a bit of explanation to his gospel narrative, telling us that, “Judas said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief! And having charge of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” )

Jesus knew this, of course, and I can imagine Him looking deep into Judas’s eyes and saying, “Leave her alone.”

Then He explained to the others, “She may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.”

As soon as he could, Judas left the meal and went to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. (Mark 14:10-11)

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John 12:9-11.

Somehow = perhaps Judas spread the word = a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there, and they came, not only on account of Him, but also to see the risen Lazarus. So … the official Jews made plans to kill Lazarus again. Even now, many of them were believing in Jesus when they saw Lazarus!

Jesus remained the rest of the Sabbath day (Saturday, until sundown) with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

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The next day was Sunday … Palm Sunday.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/24) John 11:38-44

Jul24

Read and believe in Jesus

“Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus has returned with his disciples to Judea, within a couple of miles of Jerusalem. There is danger here, as we will see in the next few readings. However, in obedience to His Father, Jesus has come to do the greatest of His miracles to bring Glory to His Father and to urge people to believe that God sent Him (He’s the Messiah).

His two friends, Martha and Mary, are sorrowing at the loss of their brother, Lazarus, who has died 4 days earlier. Jesus promises Martha that she will see the Glory of God (in the Resurrection) that day, and comforts Mary as He walks with her to the tomb. Jews who have come to commiserate with the women (or something more sinister) watch and judge Jesus.

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John 11:38-40.

At the cave where Lazarus is interred, where a large stone lies across the opening, Jesus, the sisters, and the people stop. They wait and watch Jesus. Again He is moved with indignation at the evidence of sin (death) in His creation.

“Take away the stone.”

The stone not only keeps animal scavengers and grave robbers away, but it also keeps the stench of decomposition inside.

“Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days,” cautions Martha.

Jesus turns to her and says, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

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John 11:41-43.

Martha looks a moment longer at Jesus and perhaps nods. Then, as the crowd around raises their veils and shawls to cover their noses, Martha instructs several men to remove the stone. After some exertion, it is rolled to the side, leaving the dark open cave. Now, their attention is divided between the cave opening and Jesus. When He speaks, they watch Him.

Jesus looks toward heaven in prayer. “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I know that You always hear Me, but I said this so the people standing around may believe that You sent Me.” (That I am the Messiah.)

Then Jesus looked towards the tomb and cried out in a loud voice, “LAZARUS, COME OUT.”

(NOTE: Some say that if Jesus had NOT prefaced His command with Lazarus’ name, every dead person in graves would have been resurrected and appeared. What a sight!)

(But you know, that is EXACTLY what will happen at our Lord’s return. [See John 5:25, 28-29, READ it!] See also 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, when the dead in Christ shall rise.)

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John 11:43-44.

“Lazarus, come out!” shouted Jesus.

(Did the people all gasp and hold their breaths?? Did Martha and Mary? What did they expect to see??)

“And the man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips and his face wrapped with a cloth.”

(NOTE: No, not a mummy. The Hebrews did not wrap their loved ones tightly and all together like the Egyptians. Rather, they wrapped strips of linen around arms, legs, and the torso, layering strong spices in the folds to help counteract the smell. Then a separate cloth was wrapped around the head. Lazarus did not have to “hop” out of the cave entrance; his legs were wrapped separately.)

Nevertheless, he was still “bound” with the cords of death.

“Unbind him and let him go,” said Jesus kindly, and perhaps Martha and Mary did it themselves.

Can you imagine what a glad reunion that was? Hugs, weeping, touching warm, living skin, looking into moist, seeing eyes, and hearing that beloved voice again. WHAT a miracle!

And then, maybe questions … “What was it like?” “Where did you go?” “Did you see God?”

And yes, this is what believers will have to look forward to – reunion with loved ones long passed away. OH, WHAT A JOYOUS PROMISE from Jesus!

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/16) John 9:13-34

Jul16

Read and believe in Jesus

“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. “ John 9:25b

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – (Part one of three) Jesus saw a man who had been blind from birth. He made mud from his spit and some clay on the ground, applied it to the man’s eyes, and told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. He did, and he could instantly see. People who knew him could hardly believe it. WHO did this? They asked. “Jesus,” the man said. WHERE is He? They asked. “I do not know,” the former blind man said.

(NOTE: I’m trying a larger font. My glaucoma eyes struggle to see the small ones. Comment if you don’t like it.)

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Part Two (of three): The Pharisees harass the formerly blind man, hoping to catch Jesus.

John 9:13-17

People who knew the formerly blind man brought him to the Pharisees. (Why?) It was the Sabbath (of course), and they knew that Jesus healing on this day was a big “no-no” to these uber-strict law teachers.

“How did you receive your sight?” asked the Pharisees.

“He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see,” explained the man simply.

Some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.”

But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

So they asked the formerly blind man again, “What do YOU say about Him, since He has opened your eyes?”

“He is a prophet.”

(Who now were the “blind” ones. The religious leaders were certainly walking in spiritual darkness, and they did it by choice.)

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John 9:18-23.

Hmmm, maybe this man was never blind. Maybe he’s faking it… So the Pharisees asked the man’s parents for verification. “Is this your son, who you SAY was born blind? How then does he see?”

His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”

The parents, of course, were afraid of the powerful Pharisees for these leaders had already agreed that if anyone should “confess Jesus” to be the Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. And so, they said that their son was of age and to ask him.

(Sheesh! Not a very caring family were they, to just throw him to the wolves, so THEY wouldn’t be persecuted.)

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John 9:24-34.

So the “court” called the ex-blind man back to give testimony again. “Give glory to God. We know that this Man is a sinner.”

“Whether He is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (A fantastic personal testimony.)

“What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes? They tried again, probably to trip him up.

“I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”

(Whoa, this man is getting brave. He almost sounds like Paul at some of his trials.)

And now the religious leaders are on the defensive. They argue back, “YOU are His disciple, but WE are disciples of Moses. WE know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this Man, we do not know where He comes from.”

Emboldened (perhaps even by the Holy Spirit), the former blind man speaks to the now spiritually blind teachers of the law.

“Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where He comes from and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to Him. NEVER since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

(Wow! Jesus has let a powerhouse preacher loose in Jerusalem. Praise God!)

Humiliated and mortified, and with nothing to say back to the “seeing man’s” wisdom, the Pharisees resort to nastiness. “YOU were born in utter sin, and would YOU teach US???”

And they cast him out of the synagogue. (Excommunicated.)

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(Wow, oh, Lord, make me as strong and brave as this man when I am (so lightly teased) for my belief in Christ. Make me willing to give up anything to stand for You.)

(Part Three of three of Jesus healing the blind man, next.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/29) John 5:31-47

Jun29

Read and believe in Jesus

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have ETERNAL LIFE; and it IS they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may HAVE life.” John 5:39-40

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Last time, Jesus claimed He was equal with God, calling Him His Father. This infuriated the religious leaders, and they began at this point to seek how they could KILL Jesus. Then, as if to drive His point home with these know-it-alls, Jesus listed the ways that He had the same authority as the Father, even to the point of raising the dead and giving life. Jesus promised that whoever heard Him and believed His words would pass from death to LIFE. And yet, to emphasize His utter “oneness” with God the Father, Jesus stated, “I can do nothing on my own.”

John 5:31-47.

In Jewish law, two or three testimonies/witnesses were REQUIRED in order to prove a fact – either guilt or innocence. (See Deuteronomy 19:15-16). Jesus tells the religious leaders that there are indeed FOUR witnesses to His authority and origin.

  • Vss 33-35 – the testimony of John the Baptist
  • Vs. 36 – the “works” (or miracles) that He does
  • Vss 37-38 – God, His Father, had given witness for Him, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
  • Vss 39-47 – the very Scriptures these men revered and studied so well gave witness about Jesus.

Then Jesus’ sad words, “Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”

Then Jesus tells them that Moses (his writings, the Law), which they so highly regarded, is the very thing that will accuse them to God, the Father. “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote of Me.”

Deuteronomy 18:15 – (Moses speaking to the Israelites.) “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers – it is to Him you shall listen.”

John 4:19 – “The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.'”

John 6:14 – “When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is come into the world.'”

John 7:40 – ‘When they heard these words, some of the people said, ‘This really is the Prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Christ.'”

(It seems the people were “getting it,” but the pious leaders ground their heels and refused to believe.)

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(Oh, Lord! We do believe. But help our unbelief. Help us never to let our learning or perceived knowledge block the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Help us to see Jesus and believe all He says. Let us never refuse the eternal life He offers.)

Jesus here claimed FOUR witnesses to his veracity.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/26) John 5:16-30

Jun26

Read and believe in Jesus

“Truly, truly, I say to you, “whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life.” John 5:24

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – While in Jerusalem, Jesus healed a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. The man said he was waiting for the angel who stirred the water of the pool to heal him. But when Jesus asked if he WANTED to be healed, the man hedged. Nevertheless, Jesus spoke and healed him, telling the man to pick up his mat and get out of there. Later the religious leaders chided the man for “working” on the Sabbath. Then, after Jesus met and cautioned the healed man to “sin no more,” he went to those leaders and identified Jesus as his healer… and the One who told him to carry his mat. This infuriated the uber-legalistic Jews.

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John 5:16-17.

The religious leaders now had a foothold on which to stand and accuse Jesus. They said He broke the 4th commandment by doing miracles on the Sabbath. They soon would have another reason to not only accuse and persecute Him, but to execute Him.

Jesus said to them, “My Father is working continuously (even on the Sabbath), and I (also) am working.” It was very clear to these Jews that Jesus was calling God His Father, and indeed saying He was equal with God. (a blasphemy worthy of death)

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John 5:18-24.

So Jesus gave his own personal statement of His diety. He is equal with God…..

  • in His person. (calling God His Father) vss. 17-18
  • in His works (what the Father does, the Son does) vss.19-20
  • in His power and sovereignty (as the Father raises the dead, so the Son gives life) vs 21
  • in His judgment (the Father has GIVEN all judgment to the Son) vs. 22
  • in His honor (all honor the Son just as they honor the Father) vs. 23

I can imagine the religious leaders standing stunned and silent at so open a declaration by Jesus to be EQUAL WITH GOD.

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John 5:25-30.

Then, Jesus proclaims yet another time “the way to eternal life,” “Truly truly (double emphasis), I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” Did they even HEAR this??

And again, a shocker. “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.”

And, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself. AND, He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.”

Then Jesus tells them that He can do nothing on His own, but only at the will of God who sent Him. What does He mean?

(This all was the will of the Godhead, the triune God, who were in complete accord since before time and creation, when this moment in time, this plan of salvation through the substitutionary death of Jesus, was all planned and agreed upon. And now, Jesus does exactly that will, even after His prayer in Gethsemene. Then: Not my will, but thine. And now, I can do nothing on my own.)

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More in the next reading of this difficult section.